Flexible vacuum tube length extender for cleaning tools

ABSTRACT

An attachment for a handheld vacuum device comprising one or more tubes that connect a vacuum head to the handheld vacuum device and provide a conduit for material to move from the vacuum head to the handheld vacuum device, wherein the one or more tubes are formed from a flexible material, and a member attached to the one or more tubes such that the one or more tubes and the member can bend without significantly constricting the flow of material through the one or more tubes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/522,446, filed Aug. 11, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of vacuum cleaning tools. In particular, the invention relates to a flexible extension for handheld floor cleaning tools.

2Description of the Related Art

The prior art includes a wide range of length extensions for motorized vacuum tools, other handheld floor cleaning tools such as the Dust Buster® cleaning device, as well as other powered vacuum devices. Prior art devices have failed to effectively provide an vacuum head and a vacuum tube length extension with a sufficiently low height that is also sufficiently flexible to extend under counters, coffee tables, chairs, or other furniture to clean floor areas beneath such obstacles without requiring the user to bend over excessively. The present invention provides a simple, effective solution that allows the user to easily clean under furniture where normal upright vacuum cleaners are too tall and handheld vacuum cleaners cannot sufficiently extend under the furniture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises an attachment for a handheld vacuum device comprising one or more tubes that connect a vacuum head to the handheld vacuum device and provide a conduit for material to move from the vacuum head to the handheld vacuum device, wherein the one or more tubes are formed from a flexible material, and a member attached to the one or more tubes such that the one or more tubes and the member can bend without significantly constricting the flow of material through the one or more tubes.

In various exemplary embodiments, the member comprises a flexible rod such as a dowel made of fiberglass which may be located between two tubes. The flexible rod may be completely or partially enclosed in a flexible tube. The member may be divided into two or more substantially rigid segments connected by one or more joints that allows the segments to rotate about the one or more joints. The tubes may be positioned side-by-side to maintain a relatively flat profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a flexible vacuum extension for a handheld cleaning tool in the un-flexed position.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a flexible vacuum extension for a handheld cleaning tool in the flexed position.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of the underside of a vacuum head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

While the present invention is discussed herein primarily with respect to a vacuum cleaner, it will be understood that the present invention can be used with other types of cleaning tools, including tools for cleaning all types of floors including tile, hard-wood, cement, carpets as well as swimming pools and the roofs, walls and ceilings of buildings, boats or aircraft. In the present disclosure, various devices are described and set forth with regard to several embodiments. It is contemplated that features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined in any manner as may be desired for various applications and implementations.

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises at least one vacuum tube segment attached to a flexible rod connecting the vacuum head to a handheld vacuum device. The flexible rod extends alongside the one or more vacuum tubes from the vacuum head to the handheld vacuum device. The flexible rod may bend gradually up to 90 degrees, allowing the flexible vacuum tube to bend relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the rod is rigid but may have one or more joints that provide the longitudinal flexibility required to reach under furniture. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible rod is comprised of fiberglass dowel or other similar material. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible rod is located inside a central tube with one or more vacuum tubes on either side. The flexible rod or the central tube's ends are connected to the vacuum head and the handheld vacuum device, but the ends of the central tube are sealed off from the vacuum suction. The outer vacuum tubes are then connected to the vacuum head and the handheld vacuum device such that the handheld vacuum device inducts air through the tubes from the openings in the vacuum head. In an exemplary embodiment, positioning additional vacuum tubes side by side maintains a low height profile for the vacuum tubes while increasing the volume of airflow through the vacuum head and into the handheld vacuum device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more rotating bristle mechanisms enable the vacuum head to more effectively remove dirt from floors. The rotating bristle mechanism may be actuated mechanically by the forward motion of the vacuum head through friction, be motorized with one or more electric motors located in the vacuum head, or by gearbox connected to a rotating cable run by a motor located inside the body of the handheld vacuum device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention a handheld vacuum 100 comprises a vacuum head 102 and one or more flexible tubes 104 that may be connected to the vacuum head 102 at the distal end of the tubes 104 by a flexible joint 106. The one or more tubes 104 are connected at the proximal end to a handheld vacuum device 108. The one or more tubes provide a conduit for dirt and other material to flow from the vacuum head 102 to the handheld vacuum device 108 for collection. During use, the application of downward pressure on the handheld vacuum device 108 will cause the tubes 104 to flex or bend without constricting the flow of material from the vacuum head 102 to the handheld vacuum device 108. This allows the vacuum head 102 to pass under even low obstructions such as cabinets, sofas, or chairs without interference such as from a traditional rigid vacuum handle, and to reach deep under these obstructions to clean the floor or carpet underneath. In various exemplary embodiments, the tubes 104 can flex up to a maximum of 90 degrees of angle.

The handheld vacuum device 108 shown herein is purely exemplary and it will be understood that the present invention can be used with any type of handheld vacuum device or any other type of suction powered cleaning tool. The vacuum head design 102 shown herein is also purely exemplary and it will be understood that the present invention can be used with any type of vacuum head or other cleaning implement attached to vacuum extender tubes 104.

In various exemplary embodiments, the vacuum head 102 may be configured or adjusted to be as short in height as possible to enable the vacuum head to completely slide under cabinets or furniture that has legs such as couches, tables or chairs. Notwithstanding, the vacuum head may be designed to clean any type or kind of surface even if it is not required to clean under furniture. The downward pressure exerted on the floor by the flexible length extender is superior to the weight of a typical vacuum device and creates a more consistent pressure when moving the vacuum head over the floor surface. Therefore any type of vacuum head 102 and may be attached to the length extender tubes 104 by any type of suitable joint or connection.

In various exemplary embodiments, the one or more tubes 104 that connect the vacuum head 102 to the handheld vacuum device 108 may be attached to a member that provides structural rigidity while allowing the one or more tubes 104 to bend or flex as illustrated in FIG. 2. This member may be positioned adjacent to or between the one or more tubes 104, configured in a range of different ways, and constructed of any suitable material. Examples include a flexible rod such as a fiberglass dowel, or a segmented member comprising two or more substantially rigid segments that are connected by one or more joints that allow the different segments to move relative to each other such as by rotating around the one or more joints. The one or more tubes 104 may be positioned side-by-side to maintain a flat or low profile for the extension.

Referring to FIG. 3, various exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a rectangular plastic vacuum head 102 with a concave top and flat sides. The concave shape serves as a partial vacuum chamber and partially seals the vacuum head 102 to the floor creating significant suction between the floor and the vacuum head 102. In an exemplary embodiment, adjustable height sliders 110 slightly lift the vacuum head off of the floor and maybe interchanged with roller balls or wheels as the surface requires.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the flexible joint 106 is connected to the vacuum head 102 in a manner that allows a flexible rod 116 to lay horizontal to the ground when the length extender vacuum tubes 104 are flexed at a 90 degree angle. In an exemplary embodiment a motor or gear box 118 mechanically rotates the bristles 112 and is powered by electric wires 120 connected to a battery or an enclosed rotating cable 120 powered by a motor in the handheld vacuum 108. In an exemplary embodiment featuring two vacuum tube openings 114 in the vacuum head 102 any dirt or debris located between the floor and the vacuum head will be contacted by the air being inducted into the two vacuum openings 114 and will be carried through the tubes 104 and be retained by the filter in the handheld vacuum 108. 

1. An attachment for a handheld vacuum device comprising: one or more tubes that connect a vacuum head to the handheld vacuum device and provide a conduit for material to move from the vacuum head to the handheld vacuum device, wherein the one or more tubes are formed from a flexible material; and a member attached to the one or more tubes such that the one or more tubes and the member can bend without significantly constricting the flow of material through the one or more tubes.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the member comprises a flexible rod.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the flexible rod is made of fiberglass.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the flexible rod is located between two tubes.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the flexible rod is completely or partially enclosed in a flexible tube.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the member is divided into two or more substantially rigid segments connected by one or more joints that allows the segments to rotate about the one or more joints.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubes are positioned side-by-side to maintain a relatively flat profile. 